Now that winter is transitioning to spring, we have a mini-season here in Delaware County known as maple syrup season. It is during this time when the nights are typically freezing cold and the days are warm causing the sap to run so it can be gathered from the maples to produce that almost heavenly elixir called maple syrup.
It is a harvest from trees that is not only sweet and delicious to taste, but serves as a healthier alternative to sweeteners such as refined sugar. Maple syrup has been a wonderful and naturally derived food for centuries and its popularity only continues to grow. This coming weekend, March 29-30 marks the 13th annual maple weekend in New York State. It is a big event here in Delaware County. During this weekend, many maple producers are having open-houses allowing the public to see and experience the world of maple syrup production. You and I will get to see, learn about and appreciate all the aspects of maple syrup making. The process involves tapping the trees, gathering the sap, boiling the sap into syrup, and then bottling the syrup or utilizing it to make confections, spreads, etc.
I had the privilege of spending some time today with Tom Kaufman who is an owner of Catskill Mountain Maple (http://www.catskillmountainmaple.com/) along with Duane and Karen Lafever. It is located outside Delancey, NY just 6.5 miles outside Delhi on Charlie Wood Road off County Rt. 2 (Andes-Delancey Road aka Bagley Brook Road). Tom has owned Catskill Mountain Maple for 28 years and has worked together with Duane & Karen Lafever since 1987. Together they tap around 4000 trees (that’s a lot of maples!) on 91 acres and are looking to produce 1000 gallons of maple syrup this season. So far this season, they have produced 500 gallons.
If you have the chance you won’t regret visiting Tom & Duane this weekend during their seasonal open-house. It will be a big event for Catskill Mountain Maple with literally hundreds of people coming out. It’s a great time for family, friends, and all.
The picture herein shows Tom next to his oil-fired evaporator that looks to me like a steam locomotive. Tom told me that it can process 75% of 400 gallons of sap per hour. He also has a reverse osmosis system which is where the sap actually gets boiled first before going into the large evaporator. This process is a great energy saver because it removes 75% of the water before it boils in the evaporator. He explained to me that the sap has 2% sugar content and this is elevated to an 8% higher content due to the reverse osmosis process. The reverse osmosis machine is the same that is used on large cruise ships and naval ships to desalinate water-pretty impressive technology.
Tom has an obvious passion and love for maple syrup production. It’s hard work but it is also truly one of those things that make you feel a little closer to the earth. Karen Lafever was in the sap house today while I was given the tour. She and Tom will be spending the next few days preparing the showroom for the public to see. The showroom consists of maple production equipment, which Tom & Duane sell, from manufacturers such as Maple Pro and LaPierre/Waterloo/Small. The showroom will also feature Tom, Duane and Karen’s maple products for the public to sample and purchase this weekend. The basic products are syrup, candies and creams. The specific products include the following: maple granulated sugar (used in baking and as a sweetener), maple popcorn, maple mustard (a delicious spread), maple pumpkin spread, maple coated nuts, butter milk pancake mix (Karen tells me this is incredibly delicious), and oatmeal pancake mix, etc. By the way, Duane and Karen also have their own farm and maple products business known as Maplewood Farm & Orchard located in Delhi (http://www.maplewoodfarmny.com/).
While the syrup is not certified organic, Tom explained that it easily could be because the process is entirely natural and nothing is introduced in the production that compromises its organic nature. It is nothing less than 100% pure maple syrup.
I hope you will take the time to come visit Tom, Duane and Karen this weekend at Catskill Mountain Maple. There will be food, fun, tours and lots of all-natural and truly delicious maple syrup and products for sampling and for sale. See you there!
No comments:
Post a Comment